Last year, Shandong Sinocera Functional Materials Co., Ltd. (“Sinocera Materials”) and Foshan Sanshui Create-tide Inorganic Synthetic Materials Co., Ltd.(“Create-tide”) jointly established Shandong Sinocera Create-tide New Materials High-tech Co., Ltd. (“Sinocera Create-tide”), focusing on the R&D and industrial production of ceramic pigments and glazes, ceramic ink, and 3D printing materials.

The joint venture started with a registered capital of RMB 10 million, of which Sinocera Materials contributed RMB 6 million in cash, holding a 60% stake, and Create-tide contributed RMB 4 million, holding 40%. To enhance Sinocera Create-tide’s capital strength and boost its R&D and production capabilities, both parties later increased their capital in the same proportion, bringing the total registered capital to RMB 100 million. With this injection, Sinocera Create-tide will actively explore the 3D printing materials sector while strengthening R&D efforts in ceramic ink and other 3D printing materials.

Although the number of domestic ink producers is growing, few have achieved large-scale production or secured a significant market share. Many remain in a phase of extensive development. Constrained by production environments and scale, the quality of domestic ink, while approaching that of imported products, still varies considerably across manufacturers. It is projected that by the end of 2014, domestic ink will capture over 50% of the market share, yet improving overall quality will remain a long-term process.

Sinocera Create-tide’s ink not only holds advantages in service and cost over imported alternatives but has also reached a technical level on par with international products. The company has built a high-level R&D team led by three Ph.D. researchers, supported by imported hardware and raw materials, as well as 16 years of experience in glaze colorant production. These factors strongly ensure product quality. Through the joint venture, Sinocera Create-tide has incorporated Sinocera Materials’ nano-scale production technology for electronic functional materials and its refined production management system. By introducing fine chemical industry concepts into ceramic ink production and implementing strict quality control, the company is capable of large-scale, high-standard ink manufacturing.

It is reported that Sinocera Create-tide has established a new production base in Shandong utilizing an existing 15,000-square-meter workshop, equipped with up to 10 imported production lines. The base is expected to achieve a monthly capacity of 300 tons initially, with potential expansion to 500–1,000 tons per month at a later stage.

In 2014, Sinocera Create-tide will pursue comprehensive development across its ink product lines. It has launched functional inks represented by sunk glaze ink, along with high-performance protective glazes and inkjet surface glazes compatible with glaze spraying technology. For conventional inks, the company will continue to collaborate with wall and floor tile manufacturers to enhance color performance and stability.

Sinocera Create-tide develops ink with a customer value-oriented approach. As early as 2008, the company set up its own pilot plant, gaining deep insight into how pigments and glazes interact to produce high-quality tiles. This pilot facility has since been upgraded to a full production plant, while a new development base was established in Fujian and began operations in December of last year, focusing on high-end antique-style floor tiles. This base now supports ink development and has evolved into an integrated enterprise covering product R&D, production, and sales.

In terms of service, Sinocera Create-tide’s technical team had already mastered computer color matching technology during the popular era of roller printing. This early expertise in digital technology and extensive practical experience enables the company to provide effective after-sales support for inkjet technology. Moreover, as ceramic manufacturers increasingly seek product differentiation, the integration of traditional printing techniques with modern inkjet technology is set to become a major trend. Sinocera Create-tide’s service team is well-positioned to offer comprehensive technical support in this regard.

Looking ahead, Sinocera Create-tide will assist customers in developing high-value-added products, especially in categories such as cement-effect tiles and wood-grain tiles, to achieve superior performance. With the emergence of digital glaze spraying technology and water-based glazes in China, the company will launch more diversified glaze products and strengthen its service team. Leveraging Sinocera Materials’ geographic advantages in Shandong and the region’s rapidly growing inkjet market, Sinocera Create-tide has set up a marketing center in Zibo this year to further expand its market share in areas north of the Yangtze River and provide more comprehensive and attentive services to customers in the region.